Well, not new anymore, but still newish, and still evolving.

Back in November, I went back and found an earlier draft, which I think I prefer, as it separates the two "voices" in the song into distinct halves, the first being the voice of the dominant "hard reality" culture, and the second, of the "magical, fluid culture" (for want of a better term). The tune is the same as the one posted above. As was the coda, when I found it... but I've been fiddling with that, and thinking of dropping it altogether.

Anyway, here it is:

MAGIC IS FOR CHILDREN
by Ann Magill

Magic is just for children
in the Realm of Neverland,
where boys are boys forever
with their captain Peter Pan.

Magic is just for children,
and for other simple minds.
The power that can change the world
only hard earned cash can buy.

Living, it is a struggle.
It has always been that way.
You must not trust a stranger.
You must learn to keep your place.

Power is just for Generals,
and for those who trade with gold.
You must work with the system, and
you must do just as you're told.

Spirits will never guide you.
There are no enchanted rings.
There are no mothers' blessings
that can change the way of things.

"Magic is just for children."
Were the words they said to me.
"Now just grow up, and face the facts,
for the facts are plain to see."

But every tale of magic
that's been told throughout the years
repeats the same thing over
with a message loud and clear:

Magic, it is the power
that is born from Life's own force.
It flows just like a river bright
and unites us at the core.

Magic, it is the power
that can break the chains that bind
and shatter walls between us.
No, I won't leave that behind.

River of joy and power,
I still feel you in my veins.
I'll not deny this truth so strong,
for your joy I must reclaim.

Knowing this strength within me,
with intent and chanted rhyme,
I'll work to heal the wounded
and to soothe the haunted mind.

Magic, it is for children,
for to keep throughout their lives,
so they may shape their destiny
with the Power of the Wise.

Part of me still believes that there needs to be a refrain of some sort in this song (which would, if I added it, take the place of the coda).

This song is very "dense", I think, with a lot of strong ideas that don't often get spoken aloud (a bit like a good loaf of pumpernickle ;-)), and I think there needs to be "breathing space" between the A and B parts of the song, to give one set of ideas time to sink in before the next set of ideas comes barrelling along. Perhaps it just needs some arranging to give it a purely musical refrain. Any suggestions, are, of course, welcome...

In any case, I'll keep working at it, since this is a subject I've felt strongly, on many levels, for a very long time.

Watch this space. ;-)